Article by: Eric Blumenfeld,
Beerspoke Tours CEO
Picture this. 70s and sunny every day. Every. Day. Gorgeous beaches, beautiful parks, one of the best zoos in the world, and that's just in San Diego proper. Take a short drive (windows down) outside the city and you've got gorgeous beachfront towns everywhere, like Carlsbad and La Jolla and, importantly for our purposes, ridiculously ridiculously good beer.
There are two major areas within San Diego that are complete Beervanas. Miramar (now and forever known as Beeramar: truly) and North Park. Miramar, located right in the middle of San Diego proper, has over 20 breweries (many new ones) within no more than a 2.5 mile radius. The beer per capita here, is no joke. And the best part is, Miramar pretty much has nothing else (with the exception of some equipment manufacturers and sign makers...total tourist trap, amirite?). So make sure either that your group really likes beer, or that you don't particularly care about those in your group who don't like beer (fair). Check out some of the newer breweries like Thunderhawk Alements, Pure Project Brewing, Duck Foot Brewing, and the established, well-respected, breweries, like AleSmith Brewing, Green Flash Brewing and Mikkeller Brewing.
AleSmith Brewing Company -- A "can't miss" stop on a beer tour of San Diego
Then there's North Park. Only 20 minutes away by car, but totally different from Beeramar. The one thing they have in common, really really ridiculously good beer. A charming area for a saunter, you can walk between any number of incredible beer experiences. Walk for a mere mile on and around 30th Street and you'll stumble upon Mike Hess Brewing (one of several locations, but with the largest of their tasting rooms, and production), North Park Brewing Company (open only since 2016, with a huge tasting room and much beloved beers by award-winning former homebrewer, Kelsey McNair), Rip Current Brewing (a large-windowed space focusing on myriad styles in a laid back atmosphere), Belching Beaver (a highly-regarded brewery that prides itself on high quality ingredients for their huge range of styles of high quality beers), a 3-in-one building housing Pariah (offering off-the-wall styles with local, and often atypical ingredients -- sea urchin roe, anyone?), San Diego Beer (focuses on their high-quality core beers), Eppig (another quality location, opened in 2016, but is actually a kick-start of a family brewery started in the 1860s), and Fall Brewing Company (killer varied selection with a bright, chill welcoming vibe). *WHEW*...
North Park Brewing Co. -- empty here for artistic purposes, but often a hoppin' spot...with incredible beer.
*DEEP BREATH*...and let's not forget Toronado, a beloved, simply decorated, beer bar on 30th Street where, if it's variety you're looking for, their over 50 taps and 100+ bottles miiiiiight just offer you something you'll like. As might the more than 100 breweries I didn't mention. Holy cow! What are you people waiting for???
Ok stop picturing it and just GO!